Mother Paige delivers a sermon reflecting on the prologue to John's Gospel, emphasizing the eternal nature of God's love through the incarnation. She recaps previous sermons on the origins of Jesus as depicted by different gospel writers and delves into the profound understanding that God's intention is to be in relationship with humanity. Highlighting the enduring light of Jesus that shines in darkness, Paige urges the congregation to let this divine reality transform how they live and perceive others, especially during the Christmas season. She challenges listeners to embody this understanding and apply it to their daily interactions and self-awareness.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction

00:11 Reflecting on John's Gospel Prologue

01:07 Recap of Previous Sermons

02:05 The Eternal and Incarnate Word

04:09 God's Desire for Relationship

06:12 Paul's Frustration with the Galatians

07:14 Living Out God's Love

08:19 The Inclusive Light of Christ

In this Christmas sermon, Mother Paige discusses the significance of Christmas morning, emphasizing the sense of relief and joy symbolized by the birds' songs after a storm. She reflects on the different Gospel writers' perspectives on Jesus' origin story, with a focus on John’s profound prologue that links Jesus to the very beginning of creation. Mother Paige underscores the message of hope and enduring light brought by Jesus' birth, reminding us that God's love and presence have always been with us, no matter the world's darkness. She encourages everyone to let the light of Christ shine through them, spreading love and transforming the world, well beyond the twelve days of Christmas.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Welcome

00:16 Morning Reflections and Birdsong

01:06 Gospel Writers and Jesus' Origin Story

01:57 John's Unique Perspective

03:17 The Eternal Nature of Jesus

04:55 The Light Shines in the Darkness

07:35 Living the Christmas Message

09:12 Final Blessings and Merry Christmas

In her Christmas Eve sermon, Mother Paige reflects on the eternal nature of God's love, framed by the story of Jesus as told by different gospel writers. She emphasizes the theme of 'in the beginning' from both Genesis and John's Gospel, highlighting humanity's separation from God and God's unwavering love through the Word made flesh in Jesus. Mother Paige encourages the congregation to continue listening to Christmas carols throughout the 12 days of Christmas, using them to remind themselves of God's love and light shining in the darkness. The sermon concludes with a prayer asking for the grace to fully experience the light of Christ.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Reflection

00:29 Different Gospel Writers' Perspectives

01:08 The Eternality of God's Love

02:34 Manifestation of God's Love in Jesus

04:37 The Light Shines in the Darkness

05:56 Closing Prayer and Blessing

In this Christmas Eve sermon, Madeline Polhill reflects on the significance of God coming to us as a human and being present in our lives. Through the story of Jesus' birth in a humble and messy environment, she emphasizes the offer of peace and joy that God brings into the chaos of our world. Madeline highlights the continuous presence of God offering hope and peace amidst the pain and suffering prevalent in our lives and the world. She prays that everyone experiences this divine peace during the holiday season. Merry Christmas.

00:00 Opening Prayer

00:12 The Significance of God Becoming Human

00:33 The Birth of Jesus: A Humble Beginning

01:17 God's Presence in Our Messy Lives

01:52 The Promise of Peace

02:29 The Miracle of Christmas

02:46 A Christmas Prayer and Blessing

Mother Susan delivers a sermon on the fourth Sunday of Advent, emphasizing the importance of preparation and contemplation during the Advent season. She reflects on the significance of living in a time of dissonance and the need to practice restraint as Christmas approaches. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, she highlights the story of Joseph and Mary, exploring their roles in the birth of Jesus. She calls on the congregation to prepare a dwelling place for the Christ child and to seek God's mercy and power to revive their souls. The sermon concludes with a call for quiet contemplation and readiness for the coming celebration of Christ's birth.

00:00 Opening Invocation

00:21 Welcoming the Fourth Sunday of Advent

01:01 Reflecting on the Advent Season

02:08 Personal Christmas Traditions

04:48 Scriptural Readings and Reflections

07:28 The Story of Joseph and Mary

12:51 Joseph: The Patron Saint

15:02 Preparing for the Christ Child

17:34 Closing Thoughts and Benediction

This episode explores the profound difference between happiness and joy within a Christian context. It begins with a reference to 'Wicked For Good Part Two,' using it as a springboard to discuss how happiness is situational while joy is rooted in the transformative journey with God. The sermon delves into Biblical passages, particularly from Isaiah, Psalms, and James, to illustrate the transformative power of faith and the importance of active patience in spiritual growth. The reflection emphasizes living out one's baptismal promises, highlighting the journey towards making God's dreams come true as the true source of joy.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction

00:12 Illustration from Wicked for Good

01:09 Happiness vs. Joy

03:13 Transformation in Isaiah

07:35 Transformation in Psalms

08:50 Patience and Transformation in James

10:47 John the Baptist's Question

12:45 Renewing Our Baptismal Covenant

14:31 Conclusion: The Journey of Transformation

In this sermon delivered by Madeline Polhill at St. Peter's, the message delves into the transformative power of Advent and the call to 'bear fruit worthy of repentance.' Drawing insights from John the Baptist's bold proclamations and the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, Madeline emphasizes the importance of personal transformation and aligning our lives with God’s love and justice. She encourages us to embrace the radical changes that come with true repentance and peacemaking, framing these actions as essential to welcoming the kingdom of heaven into our midst.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Introduction

00:27 John the Baptist: A Startling Messenger

02:47 The Call to Bear Fruit Worthy of Repentance

04:32 The Wilderness as a Place of Transformation

06:05 The Radical Nature of God's Kingdom

08:13 Invitation to Personal Transformation

08:49 The Challenge of True Peace Making

09:48 Conclusion and Sending Forth

In this inspiring sermon, Mother Paige of St. Peter's Church in Del Mar, California, welcomes us to the season of Advent and emphasizes the importance of 'waking up' in the Christian faith. Drawing from Apostle Paul's message and readings from Isaiah and Matthew, she delves into the true meaning of apocalyptic literature and challenges common misinterpretations. With a focus on personal and communal peace-making, Mother Paige encourages us to actively participate in spiritual activities, anticipate hope amidst life's challenges, and stay committed to being agents of mercy, grace, and love. This powerful message calls on us to see Advent as a time to celebrate Jesus in history, mystery, and majesty while working towards reconciliation and justice.

00:00 Opening Prayer and Welcome

01:01 Understanding Apocalyptic Literature

04:28 Isaiah's Vision of Peace

05:59 Waging Peace in Our Lives

09:18 Hope and Anticipation in Romans

10:22 Interpreting Matthew's Gospel

13:57 Living in Advent: History, Mystery, and Majesty

15:37 Conclusion: Staying Awake and Hopeful